i iraqis grew painfully used to burying their dead. the numbers are disputed but at least 150,000 iraqis are thought to have died since the invasion. in 2008 u.s. policy changed, a surege of american troops brought greater stability and the political opportunity for president obama's speech tonight. >> this should serve as a reminder to all americans that the future is ours to shape. if we move forward with confidence and commitment, it should serve as a message to the world that the u.s. intends to sustain our leadership in this young sentry. >> but obama's leadership is being tested at home in the ranks of the unemployed. to show that he is consumed with his own voters number one priority, obama made a necessary but clumsy segway from war to work. >> another task is to put the millions of americans who have lost jobs back to work. this will be difficult, but in the days to come and it must be our essential mission. my essential responsibility as president. >> obama campaigned and won that presidency on the promise of bringing america